Reasons for Immigration to the Nova Scotia Province in Canada

Capital

• Halifax

Population

• 938 thousand

Interesting Facts

• It was the first European settlement north of Florida.
• One of the four Atlantic provinces on the east coast of Canada.
• Second smallest province.
• Also includes over 3800 coastal islands
• The south-eastern shore is known as "the lighthouse trail".
• Halifax is an international seaport and transportation center.
• The Bay of Fundy has world's highest tides.
• Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site (Cape Breton Island) has a museum displaying his inventions.
• Nova Scotia is called "Canada's ocean playground"
• Nova Scotia is the world's largest exporter of lobsters, Christmas trees, gypsum and wild berries.
• Nova Scotia is the home of Michelin Tire North America
• The greater Halifax economy is one of Canada's strongest with lower unemployment than Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.
• Greater Halifax was judged #1 out of North America's top 15 cities for business competitiveness.
• The Halifax Citadel is the most visited national Historic Site in Canada.
• The Cabot Trail is considered North America's most beautiful marine drive.
• The cost of living in Nova Scotia is quite affordable, falling below the Canadian average.
• Combined with the comfortable average salary in the province, Nova Scotians can afford a very high standard of living.
• Provincial personal income taxes are approximately 19.25%.
• The strong economy, quality lifestyle, enviable education system and career opportunities make Nova Scotia the envy of the world.
• Real estate in this beautiful, coastal province is among the most affordable in Canada.
• Nova Scotia is Canada's academic hot spot with more post-secondary institutions per capita than elsewhere in Canada.

Climate

• Areas along the coast are milder and wetter than the areas inland.
• The Atlantic coast is foggy, especially in the spring.
• There are heavy rains and stormy weather in the fall.
• The province has experienced hurricanes in the late summer.

Shopping and Sport

• Large shops such as supermarkets and most department stores remain closed on Sundays. However, some convenience stores are generally open and some small shops may also open.
• Sports events include golfing, boating, fishing, biking, skating, skiing, surfing, hunting and many more. Nova Scotia boasts some of the best cold-water diving in Canada and the world.

Job Situation

• Nova Scotia has a very diverse economy that includes key industries in the service, manufacturing and mining sectors.
• Nova Scotia has a highly developed forestry sector as well as a highly specialized commercial agriculture sector.
• The mining sector is dominated by coal production.
• With the growth of offshore oil and gas production, this sector is becoming an increasingly important employer in Nova Scotia.
• Unemployment is at 6.9%
• The average annual salary is $46,937 (Halifax: $58,262)

Schooling

• All Canadians under the age of 20 are entitled to free education up to the end of secondary school provided by the provincial government. The Government of Nova Scotia provides free schooling from kindergarten through to Grade 12, available in both English and French.
• As with other jurisdiction in Canada, all teachers in Nova Scotia’s public education system have a university degree as well as advanced teacher training, and follow a provincially regulated curriculum.
• 11 universities and 13 community college campuses.
• Nova Scotia’s undergraduate tuition fees are the highest of any province, at an average of $6,281.

Housing

• The average price to purchase a two-story house in the Halifax area is only $143,000, while a similar sized home in some of Canada’s other major cities can be expected to cost up to twice that amount.
• Suitable and affordable housing is available.
• The average percentage of household income taken up by ownership costs is among the lowest in the country and varies between 21-32%, depending on the type of home involved.

Healthcare

• Most basic health services in Nova Scotia are offered at no direct cost to the patient. Certain procedures that are not deemed necessary (such as elective cosmetic surgery and a number of dental care procedures, for example) are generally not covered. Like all other provinces in Canada, Nova Scotia provides a publicly-funded health services program. The Nova Scotia plan insures eligible residents of Nova Scotia for all medically required physicians' services provided in the doctor's office, at home or in hospital.

Towns and Cities

• What separates Nova Scotia from much of the rest of Canada is its abundant beaches. The province's prime beach spot seems to be the shoreline of the Northumberland Strait, where warm water and white sand is the norm.
• Peggy's Cove is the world's most photographed fishing village
• Historic Towns, light houses and windmills are scattered all over Nova Scotia
• Halifax is not only the capital of Nova Scotia; it acts as the economic centre of Atlantic Canada. Halifax is a centre for learning and culture.